Four Directions Teaching.com

Another example of an Indigenous digital media project is Four Directions Teaching, which presents traditional stories and Elder teachings in an interactive website. The project reflects indigenous cultural protocols regarding the storage and representation of community-held knowledge.

Four Directions was set up by Jennifer Wemigwans, an Oijbwe from Wikwemikong First Nation, near Sault St. Marie and Sudbury in Ontario. She is a PhD Candidate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Later, we will watch some videos that Jennifer made about community technology development in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

FourDirectionsTeaching.com was produced in association with National Indigenous Literacy Association and Department of Canadian Heritage. The goal was to:

“Create an engaging site where people could experience Indigenous knowledge and philosophy, and which educators can use to incorporate into their curriculum...[The website] honours oral traditions by creating and environment where the visitor is encouraged to listen with intent as each Elder or traditional teahcer shares a teaching from their perspective on the richness and value of cultural traditions from their nation” (p.31).

The project’s National Advisory Committee approached several Elders and traditional teachers to ask them to participate in the Four Directions project. This was to ensure a respectful and accountable community-based development approach. These advisors helped Jennifer work through the challenges of accessing and putting Indigenous knowledge online.

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